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 RIPPLEBROOK, Ore. – Yesterday, rain accumulation over the fire area reached an inch, significantly reducing fire activity. Firefighters continued working toward suppression repair goals such as dozer and hand line repair.  Suppression repair, collection of equipment, and monitoring along fire lines will continue.Slow-moving, light rain events provide drought-stressed trees and plants relief without significant risk of erosion in burned areas.  Increased humidity and continued moisture are expected to limit fire progression in dry areas surrounding the Bull Complex.As of 1:00 pm yesterday, Marion County Sheriff’s Office lifted the Level One evacuation warning for the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort. Fire closures remain in effect to keep firefighters, those implementing fire recovery efforts from last year’s fires, and the public safe. Check ahead when planning a trip in Marion and Clackamas Counties to ensure your destination and roadways that provide access to them are open...

September 28, 2021 Fire Information: 541-482-1331 E-mail: 2021.jack@firenet.gov  Incident Summary:   Yesterday’s rainfall totaled approximately one to two inches, effectively preventing the fires’ spread. There is a very low probability that forest fuels will dry enough to allow fire spread in the foreseeable future. A lot of work remains to repair fire lines, remove trees weakened by the fire that pose a hazard to roads and trails, retrieve firefighting equipment, haul away debris from fire line construction and restore drainage. Firefighters avoided rain-softened roads to prevent road damage and avoid accidents. Today, the weather is expected to be a little drier, and firefighters will begin testing roads for access to the fires to continue their work. A drying and warming trend begins Wednesday, and work will resume in full force later in the week. The agencies managing the fires are evaluating the area closure surrounding the fires to restore public access as soon...

 COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATENORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby ShindelarSeptember 28, 2021   The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.   WeatherTemperatures dropped significantly overnight, and snow levels will be around 6000-6500 feet today. Afternoon highs will only reach into the mid-40s to low-50s. The heaviest precipitation will be over by this morning, but there will continue to be scattered rain and snow showers this afternoon. Tonight, temperatures will be in the mid-20s. Tomorrow will start a warming and drying trend.    Operations Smoke and wind-blown ash continued to be visible from the Cougar Peak and Patton Meadow fires yesterday, but containment lines on both fires remained secure. Around the...

September 28, 2021 Fire Information: 541-482-1331 E-mail: 2021.jack@firenet.gov  Incident Summary:   Yesterday’s rainfall totaled approximately one to two inches, effectively preventing the fires’ spread. There is a very low probability that forest fuels will dry enough to allow fire spread in the foreseeable future. A lot of work remains to repair fire lines, remove trees weakened by the fire that pose a hazard to roads and trails, retrieve firefighting equipment, haul away debris from fire line construction and restore drainage. Firefighters avoided rain-softened roads to prevent road damage and avoid accidents. Today, the weather is expected to be a little drier, and firefighters will begin testing roads for access to the fires to continue their work. A drying and warming trend begins Wednesday, and work will resume in full force later in the week. The agencies managing the fires are evaluating the area closure surrounding the fires to restore public access as soon...

Devils Knob Complex Update  September 28, 2021, 8:00 a.m. Location: Tiller Ranger District Size: 70,109 acres· (·includes Mule Creek and other fires in patrol status) Big Hamlin: 19,377 acres – 100% contained Smith Fire: 49,239 acres – 42% contained Containment: 58% Personnel: 481  Cause: Lightning Smoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com Fire Information: 541-900-6133 Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.gov InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771 Facebook: www.facebook.com/2021DevilsKnobComplex YouTube: http://tiny.cc/DevilsKnobYouTube Yesterday:  Crews began the day continuing the repair work that’s been going on for over a week on the Devils Knob Complex. While some of the suppression repair work was able to continue during the rain showers, much of the equipment disengaged from their repair work in the late morning to prevent resource damage in the wet and muddy conditions. Some areas within the Devils Knob Complex...

Devils Knob Complex UpdateSeptember 27, 2021, 8:00 a.m.Location: Tiller Ranger District Size: 70,109 acres· (·includes Mule Creek and other fires in patrol status) Big Hamlin: 19,377 acres – 100% contained Smith Fire: 49,239 acres – 42% contained Containment: 58% Personnel: 535 Cause: LightningSmoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com Fire Information: 541-900-6133 Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.gov InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771 Facebook: www.facebook.com/2021DevilsKnobComplex YouTube: http://tiny.cc/DevilsKnobYouTube  Yesterday: Despite winds gusting up to 25mph, fire behavior did not increase on the Smith Fire yesterday. Fire managers were monitoring conditions across the fire area, particularly the uncontained fire edge on the north and east flanks, but there was minimal fire movement. Additional excavators and chippers were brought in to complete the repair work and crews were able to make good progress with suppression repair efforts in the warm...

 Middle Fork Complex Fire Update – September 27, 2021 Incident Commander Jimmer Hunt Size:  30,928 acres                                                                     Containment: 55% Start Date: July 29, 2021 2:00 pm                                                                                                           Cause: Lightning Location: North of Oakridge, OR                                                                                                        Number of Personnel: 209 Significant rainfall this week further dampens fire activity Westfir, OR – The Middle Fork Complex is 55% contained, and no significant growth is expected. Repair operations continue on both the Kwis and Gales...

 COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATENORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby ShindelarSeptember 27, 2021   The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.WeatherA storm system brings a major cooling trend to the area today with a chance of precipitation tonight. By tomorrow, temperatures will be into the 40s-50s and snow showers are expected above 6000-6500 feet.  Operations Yesterday’s wind event caused smoke to be visible from the interior of the Cougar Peak and Patton Meadow fires, but containment lines on both fires remained secure thanks to the great work of our firefighters. Some interior pockets of “dirty burn,” mixed burned and unburned vegetation, were consumed by smoldering fire within containment lines. Yesterday,...

September 27, 2021 Fire Information:   541-482-1331 E-mail:   2021.jack@firenet.gov Incident Summary:   Yesterday there were small areas of persistent active fire, requiring direct suppression by ground crews supported by helicopter water drops, on the northeast and southeast flanks of the Chaos and Little Bend Fires and on the southeast flank of the Buckhead Fire near Raven Rock. All fires were successfully held in place with minimal increase in acreage.   On other areas of the fires’ perimeters, work consisted mainly of suppression repair and hazard tree removal. This work involves removal or redistribution of materials cleared for fire line construction, removing debris from drainage areas, and felling hazard trees. Firefighters worked to create drainage diversions along hand and dozer fire lines to prevent erosion during upcoming autumn rains. They also removed firefighting equipment, pumps and hoses that are no longer needed. This work has been emphasized...

RIPPLEBROOK, Ore. – In preparation for incoming rain, crews made progress on completing suppression repair projects including constructing waterbars, repairing roads and clearing culverts. On the northern and eastern edge of the fire, crews continue to process branches and limbs removed during fire line construction. Lower humidity and higher temperatures contributed to some fire growth along the southern edge of the fire towards Gold Butte Lookout. This progression was successfully controlled with helicopter bucket drops in the afternoon.  During the forecasted rain event, fire suppression activities will be adjusted to reduce risk to firefighters and damage to natural resources and roads. Inclement weather may bring dangers including falling overhead hazards, road washouts, loose soil, increased wind, and the potential for hypothermia. Firefighters will continue to clear ditch lines and culverts of slash to ensure proper water drainage to minimize damage to roads and...

September 27, 2021 Fire Information:   541-482-1331 E-mail:   2021.jack@firenet.gov Incident Summary:   Yesterday there were small areas of persistent active fire, requiring direct suppression by ground crews supported by helicopter water drops, on the northeast and southeast flanks of the Chaos and Little Bend Fires and on the southeast flank of the Buckhead Fire near Raven Rock. All fires were successfully held in place with minimal increase in acreage.   On other areas of the fires’ perimeters, work consisted mainly of suppression repair and hazard tree removal. This work involves removal or redistribution of materials cleared for fire line construction, removing debris from drainage areas, and felling hazard trees. Firefighters worked to create drainage diversions along hand and dozer fire lines to prevent erosion during upcoming autumn rains. They also removed firefighting equipment, pumps and hoses that are no longer needed. This work has been emphasized ahead...

RIPPLEBROOK, Ore. – Yesterday crews worked to repair areas impacted by fire suppression activities.  Crews reinforced and monitored completed primary containment lines. Southwest winds aligned with drainages along the southern boundary of the fire leading to an increase in fire behavior. Firefighters in this area will focus on holding primary line and cooling hot spots around Humbug Creek as well as repairing dozer lines. Air resources successfully slowed the fire’s progression with water drops in key hot spots around Gold Butte.On the northern edge of the fire, today’s actions will include moving brush to staging areas in preparation for a curtain burner operation. This equipment burns branches and twigs quickly into biochar, a nutrient rich material that can then easily be spread on the ground to assist in revegetation of the forest. Firefighters working on the eastern edge of the fire will focus on suppression repair.   Weather: Today’s weather will transition from a...

Devils Knob Complex UpdateSeptember 26, 2021, 8:30 a.m.Location: Tiller Ranger DistrictSize: 70,109 acres·(·includes Mule Creek and other fires in patrol status)Big Hamlin: 19,377 acres – 100% containedSmith Fire: 49,239 acres – 42% containedContainment: 58%Personnel: 633Cause: Lightning Smoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.comFire Information: 541-900-6133Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.gov InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771Facebook: www.facebook.com/2021DevilsKnobComplexYouTube: http://tiny.cc/DevilsKnobYouTube  Yesterday: With temperatures in the 70-80s yesterday, fire activity remained moderate on the Smith Fire and smoke was visible from surrounding areas. On the eastern flank of the Smith Fire, the Quartz Creek drainage and area adjacent to the Near Minky Fire (Rough Patch Complex) continued to hold heat and fire managers monitored the minimal fire activity. Uncontained fire perimeter on the northern flank of the Smith Fire, along with several hot...

September 26, 2021 Fire Information: 541-482-1331 E-mail: 2021.jack@firenet.gov Incident Summary:   Yesterday firefighters successfully checked the spread of fire activity on the northeast and southeast corners of the Chaos Fire. Helicopter bucket drops were used to support on the ground efforts to construct direct fire line.  On other areas around the perimeter of the complex of fires, work consisted mainly of suppression and repair operations. This work involves hazard tree felling, removal or redistribution of materials cleared for fire line construction and removing debris from drainage areas.  Firefighters worked to create drainage diversions on hand and dozer fire lines to prevent erosion in the upcoming wet weather, and removed firefighting equipment, pumps and hoses no longer needed. This work is being emphasized ahead of predicted cool and wet weather, which is expected to make some areas of the fire line temporarily inaccessible.  The recent...

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATENORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar September 26, 2021The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.Weather The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for this afternoon. Strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity and dry vegetation will increase the spread potential of new and existing fires. Please take extra precaution to avoid actions that could ignite new fires. A storm system will move into the area tomorrow, bringing much cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation tomorrow night.  Operations Yesterday, firefighters continued work to secure the line near Cougar Peak. Crews began backhauling equipment and ordering resources for suppression repair in secured...

September 26, 2021 Fire Information: 541-482-1331 E-mail: 2021.jack@firenet.gov Incident Summary:   Yesterday firefighters successfully checked the spread of fire activity on the northeast and southeast corners of the Chaos Fire. Helicopter bucket drops were used to support on the ground efforts to construct direct fire line.  On other areas around the perimeter of the complex of fires, work consisted mainly of suppression and repair operations. This work involves hazard tree felling, removal or redistribution of materials cleared for fire line construction and removing debris from drainage areas.  Firefighters worked to create drainage diversions on hand and dozer fire lines to prevent erosion in the upcoming wet weather, and removed firefighting equipment, pumps and hoses no longer needed. This work is being emphasized ahead of predicted cool and wet weather, which is expected to make some areas of the fire line temporarily inaccessible.  The recent...

 September 24, 2021, 8:00 a.m.Devils Knob Complex UpdateLocation: Tiller Ranger DistrictSize: 69,941 acres·(·includes Mule Creek and other fires in patrol status)Big Hamlin: 19,377 acres – 100% containedSmith Fire: 49124 acres – 36% containedContainment: 54%Personnel: 661Cause: Lightning Smoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.comFire Information: 541-900-6133Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.govInciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771Facebook: www.facebook.com/2021DevilsKnobComplexYouTube: http://tiny.cc/DevilsKnobYouTube Yesterday: High temperatures increased fire activity in the interior of the Big Hamlin and Smith Fires yesterday and additional smoke was visible from the surrounding areas. Crews continued to secure the uncontained fire perimeter on the west flank of the Smith Fire while patrolling the edge, monitoring containment lines and engaging in suppression repair in the area.  Sawyers and chainsaw teams continued the falling of large diameter hazard trees...

Devils Knob Complex Update September 25, 2021, 8:00 a.m.Location: Tiller Ranger DistrictCause: Lightning Smoke: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.comYouTube: http://tiny.cc/DevilsKnobYouTube Size: 70,057 acres· (·includes Mule Creek and other fires in patrol status)Big Hamlin: 19,377 acres – 100% containedSmith Fire: 49,187 acres – 36% containedContainment: 54%Personnel: 630Fire Information: 541-900-6133Email: 2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.govInciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7771Facebook: www.facebook.com/2021DevilsKnobComplexYesterday: Forecasted high temperatures and low relative humidity values increased fire activity on the Smith Fire yesterday. The unburned “green” islands on the interior of the fire north of Smith Ridge were more active and smoke was visible from the surrounding areas. Heavy helicopters were called in to cool hot spots and moderate fire activity south of Hemlock Lake. The Palomar Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) also worked in the area, continuing...

RIPPLEBROOK, Ore. – Fire crews continue to strengthen primary containment lines around the fire. In addition, crews continue chipping brush removed during fire line preparation, and repairing hand and dozer lines. To date, 107,000 feet of hose has been used in suppression efforts. This amounts to approximately 20 miles of hose laid to support fire resources in bringing water to the fire line where needed. Yesterday, fire activity remained minimal. Creeping and smoldering activity was noted on the southern edge with light smoke being visible.  Moderate fire activity was also observed on the northern and interior drainages. With rain forecasted to arrive tomorrow evening, resource demobilization is beginning to occur, particularly among aviation assets, making them available to assist with other active fires, locally and nationally. Two aircraft remain assigned to the Complex to support suppression efforts. Weather: Weather will be cooler today, with high temperatures in the upper...

September 25, 2021 Fire Information: 541-482-1331 E-mail:   2021.jack@firenet.govIncident Summary:  Firefighters successfully used direct tactics and helicopter water drops to suppress hot spots on the north end of the complex yesterday. Helicopters were also used on the southeast corner to support direct fire line construction.  On many areas around the perimeter of the complex, crews conducted suppression repair operations, including processing logs, chipping limbs, and removing debris from control lines.  Firefighters also removed firefighting equipment, pumps and hoses no longer needed. This work is being emphasized ahead of predicted cool and wet weather, which is expected to make some areas of the fire line temporarily inaccessible. Damp fuels limited fire behavior to creeping and smoldering. Today, warm and dry weather will continue to reduce fuel moisture and increase the chance for limited active fire behavior and some smoke production. All...